The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1887-09-29

the division from being taken by sur
prise.
I can only wish the result had beer
different. Many times in imagination
have l wished that could have heart
the volley 5000 rifles would hav'
made. Such a reinforcement com
ing in about 3 o'clock, the time i
should have been there, would hav,
changed the result of the battle.
have been asked many times this ques
tion: 'Did you consider it sur
prise?" Yes, it was surprise. 1t ii
true the pickets were posted. The
enemy did not rush into a sleeping
camp and bayonet and shoot then
down. But [ will tell you, the CHIEF
commander was - miles distant. A
large army, 10000 strong, was per-
mitted to go into camp within three
miles of our lines, and yet no prepara-
tion was made-no rifle pits, no bat
teries placed in position to sweep the
advancing enemy with grape and can
lister. tell you, comrades, at the
close Of the war an eighth corporal
would have lost his official position, if
not his head, had he made such a
blunder. | might be asked, "To whom
would you give credit that the army
under the circumstances w1s not
crushed?" | would give the division,
brigade, regimental and company Off
GERS all due praise. I then would
give the rest to the sterling qualities
Of the privates who were perfectly at
home in those forests Of Tennessee,
and who as they fell back from one
position to another, from behind trees
and logs and ravines, dealt by their
almost unerring aim sure death to the
enemy.
SIEGE OF CoRINTH.
1t consisted Of series of works
from Shiloh to Corinth = or in
other words, a mighty army 10000
strong, creeping up to an enemy Co.
COO strong, at the rate of less than
one mile per day. l believe it was the
only victory that Gen. Halleck ever
won. I know the army did not hold
him in high esteem.
MEMPHIS, June, 1852.
The siege is over and Wallace's di-
vision moves to Memphis, being the
first troops of Halleck's army to get
to that city After remaining about
two weeks we move out on the rail-
road about thirty miles from Mem
phis, and remain here until the Con-
federates cut US off from communica-
lions. Col. Kinney is taken prisoner
while coming from Memphis to his
regiment. Col. Raynor now takes
and succeeds in getting US
put of this place and back to Mem
phis. -
HELENA, ARK. Sept, 1862.
September finds us encamped at
Ark. I cannot recall any
thing very pleasurable during our
stay here. There was much sickness,
and many were sent to hospitals at
other places, and quite number died.
In November occurred the murder of
Sergeant WALLACE by Col. Kinney.
While in camp here we were in
4 number of expeditions = Friar's
Point, and from thence into Missis-
sippi; the Arkansas River expedition,
The White River expedition, and in
February, 1858, we were in the Yazoo
Pass expedition-but coming to Fort
Pemberton, theztwo gunboats Chilli
,othe and DeKalb could not silence
their guns, and the expedition failed,
and about the 1st of April we got
back to Helena.
ON TO VICKsBURG.
Early in the month Of April we re-
ceived orders to report to the army
near Vicksburg. We knew this meant
tight, and none knew it better than
Col. Kinney. He Heimmediately sent in
MS resignation, which was accepted.
We do not know the reason he assign
I'd for resigning; but we do know the
real cause. 1t was fear that his own
regiment would avense the death Of
Sergeant Wallace.
Once more we are under Gen. Grant,
and I think for the first time we are
to an Army Corps~the Thir-
5eenth, under Gen. McClernand, Gen.
A. P. Hovey, Division Commander.
We are on the opposite side Of the
Mississippi from Vickaburg, and above
5he city. We now make march to
Hard Times, and this brings US about
thirty miles below Vicksburg. April
%, teet of gpnboats and transports
run past the batteries at Vicksburg,
and came to us.
Grand Gulf now stands in our way.
It is fortified position ON the same
side of the river as Vicksburg. April
30, 10000 troops are placed on trans
ports aud harges, including all OF our
division. We now steam out into the
middle Of the river. The gunboats
open on the powerful batteries Of
Grand Gulf. Ten thousand troops
are watching the result anxiously.
The plan of battle is for the fleet to
silence the batteries, then the trans
ports are to land the troops Oh the
beach in front OF the fort and carry
it by storm. After three or four